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How do you use a semicolon?: Difference between revisions

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==The use of semicolon==
==The use of semicolon==
*The semicolon is used between closely related independent clauses not  
*The semicolon is used to separate major sentence elements of equal grammatical lengths (Hacker 250).
 
*The semicolon is used between closely related independent clauses not
joined with a coordinating conjunction (Hacker 251).
joined with a coordinating conjunction (Hacker 251).
 
*Related independent clauses in one sentence are usually connected with a
Related independent clauses in one sentence are usually connected with a  
 
comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet).  
comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet).  
 
**The conjunction expresses the relation between the clauses. If the
The conjunction expresses the relation between the clauses. If the  
relation is clear without the conjunction, a writer may choose to connect the clauses with a semicolon instead (Hacker 251).
 
:*"''Injustice is relatively easy to bear;what stings is justice''." - H.L.Mencken
relation is clear without the conjunction, a writer may choose to connect  
*A semicolon must be used whenever a coordinating conjunction has been
 
omitted between independent clauses.If a comma is used instead of a
the clauses with a semicolon instead (Hacker 251).
semicolon, it creates a kind of run-on sentence called a comma splice.
 
:Injustice is relatively easy to bear;what stings is justice.
--H.L.Mencken
 
A semicolon must be used whenever a coordinating conjunction has been  
 
omitted between independent clauses.If a comma is used instead of a  
 
semicolon, it creates a rather of run-on sentence called a comma splice.
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